Erie

Erie is an emerging destination spot for food and events, convenient to Boulder , Denver, and surrounding communities. Located less than 25 minutes from downtown Denver and a few miles east of Boulder, the community of Erie is home to approximately 20,000 residents who help to conserve and enhance its small town character. In its early days, Erie thrived due to coal mining, railroads and agriculture. Today you can enjoy the historic downtown district that's becoming a destination for food, events such as the Eerie Erie 5k and 10k Halloween race, Oktoberfest, and Biscuit Day, and golf at the 18-hole championship course at the Colorado National Golf Course . Erie is full of outdoorsy people from young professionals, to growing families, to active seniors who enjoy the close proximity to the mountains and the scenic trail system. The Vista Ridge community offers five-star resort amenities, including homes for every budget and lifestyle. Vista Ridge offers custom, single-family, condominium and low-maintenance homes ranging from the $160s to more than $1 million.
Under construction now is the new 41-acre Erie Community Park that helps to further improve the quality of life. Erie also boasts premier educational and research facilities including a new public library and St. Vrain and Boulder Valley School Districts schools.

Learn More About the Erie Community

The town of Erie, incorporated in 1874, has its roots in agriculture and coal mining. In the early 1870’s, a line from Brighton to Erie was added to the Union Pacific line (Denver to Cheyenne) to haul Erie’s generous coal supplies to Brighton to fuel the railroad’s massive steam engines. The town of Erie was named by its founder, Reverend Richard Van Valkenburg, a Methodist preacher who connected widespread local citizens through gospel. Born and raised in Erie, Pennsylvania, Reverend Valkenburg honored his native city with the naming of Erie, Colorado. Reverend Valkenburg went on to serve as mayor, postmaster, police judge and more for the burgeoning coal mining town. By the mid-1870’s, Erie began to see growth. A community emerged with a town hall, jail, large school, churches and doctors offices. Erie’s history as a coal mining town includes several worker strikes and tragic mining accidents. Tributes and memorials to Erie’s miners can be found around the town today.

In the 1940’s, demand for coal slowed and Erie’s coal production dwindled by the 1960s. Around the turn of the century, Erie experienced incredible growth and has boomed into a substantial suburban community, tucked between Boulder, Longmont and Denver.

Erie Elementary School

Erie Elementary School provides a nurturing community for all students as well as a comprehensive academic program to encourage success. Erie Elementary is unique for its Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) focus. Students explore subjects through experimentation and problem solving.

Black Rock Elementary School

Erie’s Black Rock Elementary School fosters a caring school culture that encourages collaboration, innovation, academic excellence and a global community. Students receive weekly Spanish instruction and have the opportunity to learn Mandarin Chinese. A Gifted and Talented program is also available.

Red Hawk Elementary

Red Hawk Elementary is dedicated to rigorous instruction in math, science and technology with an emphasis on integrating the arts into all areas of curriculum. They focus on developing a sense of environmental responsibility that includes personal development and physical well-being.

Erie Middle School

A leading Colorado Middle School, Erie Middle School supports student well being while holding students to high standards. Erie Middle’s Pre-Advanced Placement courses in core areas prepares students for high school honors classes and beyond. Erie Middle School offers a variety of extra-curricular activities including sports, Chess Club, Art Club, Brain Bowl, band, choir and more.

Erie High School

With a new state-of-the-art building that opened in 2005, Erie High School educates the community’s youth in a caring environment that encourages success and individuality. Erie High School offers a traditional curriculum as well as Advanced Placement courses, Multimedia Design classes and concurrent enrollment at Front Range Community College. Additional activities include student council, theatre, choir, band, and National Honor Society. The Career Development Center allows students to take practical courses in Business, Engineering, Horticulture and more.

Erie Town Fair

Every year, Erie’s town fair starts with an early morning hot air balloon launch and pancake breakfast. Dozens of hot air balloons hover over town - it is a sight to see! The fair continues with a selection of local food and retail vendors, a beer garden, live music and dancing. The town completes the day with an evening balloon glow, a fantastic visual display.

Harvest Fest

Erie’s Harvest Fest celebrates fall in Erie Community Park with a “pumpkin patch” for the kids, hay rides, car show and talent contests. Craft and food vendors are on location with Halloween and Christmas products as well as seasonal food items.

Country Christmas

A new Erie event, Country Christmas incorporates traditional Christmas fun like singing, food and drink. A Parade of Lights will be held as well as a living manger scene. Local establishments will be open and patrons can browse a variety of craft booths.

Erie Community Library

Built in 2008, Erie Community Library is a state-of-the-art facility that holds a vast collection of 60,000 books, CDs, DVDs and cassettes as well as access to free wi-fi, an inter-library loan service and web databases. Erie Community Library features a living room complete with sofas and a fireplace, an outdoor patio and a Peace Garden. The library offers many classes, programs and activities for every age group!

Erie Community Center

Erie’s recreational facility, Erie Community Center, provides a variety of activities such as a climbing wall, sports, racquetball, group fitness and more! The Community Center’s fitness area includes cardiovascular equipment, free weights, and stretching areas. In addition, the center has a large aquatics area with a lap pool, lazy river, pool slide and whirlpool. A childcare facility is available as well as an indoor playground. Erie Community Center also offers classes in arts and crafts, dance, gymnastics, karate, music and much more.

Erie Lake & Thomas Reservoir

Spanning 31 acres, beautiful Erie Lake is a fantastic fishing spot, complete with a handicapped fishing pier. Thomas Reservoir is a prime location for summer days with panoramic views of the Front Range and fishing.

Erie Hiking Trails

Erie's recreational trial system provides a community-wide off-road network that connects major destination/activity centers and provides opportunities for trail loops with areas of interest along the route.

Boulder Valley Velodrome

Boneshake LLC is building a 250-meter velodrome. The Boulder Valley Velodrome will provide incredible opportunities for the Erie community. It will be the de facto training facility for Olympic hopefuls. This will be a place where parents can get their kids involved in a new, exciting, athletic sport.

Erie is an emerging destination spot for food and events, convenient to Boulder , Denver, and surrounding communities. Located less than 25 minutes from downtown Denver and a few miles east of Boulder, the community of Erie is home to approximately 20,000 residents who help to conserve and enhance its small town character. In its early days, Erie thrived due to coal mining, railroads and agriculture. Today you can enjoy the historic downtown district that's becoming a destination for food, events such as the Eerie Erie 5k and 10k Halloween race, Oktoberfest, and Biscuit Day, and golf at the 18-hole championship course at the Colorado National Golf Course . Erie is full of outdoorsy people from young professionals, to growing families, to active seniors who enjoy the close proximity to the mountains and the scenic trail system. The Vista Ridge community offers five-star resort amenities, including homes for every budget and lifestyle. Vista Ridge offers custom, single-family, condominium and low-maintenance homes ranging from the $160s to more than $1 million.
Under construction now is the new 41-acre Erie Community Park that helps to further improve the quality of life. Erie also boasts premier educational and research facilities including a new public library and St. Vrain and Boulder Valley School Districts schools.